I bought one of these for $156 and you can get it cheaper.
http://www.buysku.com/wholesale/thl-w100-android-4-2-mtk6589…
Everything works straight out of the box. It's very smooth- loads quickly- web browsing is fine. Games work well though I can't imagine anyone playing games on a phone for long.
I see in the Antutu benchmark app I have that the Galaxy S4 and HTC One kill it but to what end? What is the point?
I forgot to mention that I have almost no interest in taking photos. According to reviews my el cheapo has an ok camera (8MP Rear + 5MP Front-Facing)which is more than adequate.
yeah i dont play games on my smartphone.
but im still planning on getting an s4.
its all about multi-tasking and high speeds and memory to get that.
browsing is alot smoother.
GPS has a faster-lock shouldn't really but it does (maybe its the app not the lock-on)
way better camera than no-brand. its not all about MP's
in general everything runs smoother for longer and lasts longer till the next OS
way better camera than no-brand. its not all about MP's
+100
Example: Sony Xperia x10i, had a 8MP camera - but very laggy, can't adjust to lighting well.
Year ago I would say no to the cheap ones. Now I got a thl w8 quadcore to play with.
I am impressed. but not for everyone. They great for the techno, but mainstream users
they still need support which is why you pay the extra for.
I use my phone for Internet stuff dozens of times a day. It is worth paying extra for me to have a good experience because I use it so much.
It's like a carpenter paying $400 for a Hilti drill when there are $35 ozito models. The Hilti isn't 10 times as good, more like 3 times, but if you use it all the time and depend on it, and would have a big problem if it broke (or needed software mods/updates etc.) then it can be worth it.
Mostly cause of uncertainty on my part.
I'd never buy a new release Flagship handset, but after 9-12 months the price halves and at that stage, the price differential vs peace of mind is much easier to swallow.
But also cause the 3G almost NEVER includes 900MHz…
You raise a good point and I'd argue for most people that they don't have to have super expensive smartphones. However, for people on a contract, they get a new phone every 24 months anyway, or sooner if they're offered an upgrade. A lot of people can't be bothered dealing with no-frills, minimal service budget telcos/resellers like Vaya, LC and Aldi.
For the budget conscious though, smartphones are quickly reaching a point where even low end phones are good enough, like PCs did around 2005-06. For around 130 now you can get a dual core phone from DSE, 180 a quad core china phone and the prices will be coming down. Once 4+ inch screens and quad core becomes a standard on budget phones then I think a lot of people will stop upgrading. After that, the only reason why you'd have a super expensive phone is contract renewal, fashion and broken/lost/stolen phones.
No, they will keep bloating features, like they did with PCs. Who knows maybe even come out with new gizmos like Dick Tracy wristwatch phones. If not Samsung and Apple would die and take down the economy of the first world. ;)
Others have given some ideas., but I would say also some your assumptions/preferences can be wrong.
eg You say
Games work well though I can't imagine anyone playing games on a phone for long.
Some do play for a long time, some also want the power to play these well. Now if its a card game, video refresh speeds are irrelevant, where as a shoot em up, its probably life or death….
I cant see the value in a BMW vs a Yaris (Well maybe not the Yaris..) others do. Thankfully there are those who like BMW's and after a few years the exclusive features start the downward trickle.
Likewise Generic Wheat biscuits vs Weetbix.
So why the puzzle? if some manufacturers dominate the high end, then others carve out the niche at the low end, all the more power to you who doesn't want or need the latest.
You could also say why do some people need the latest gear, as Scubacoles says, wait and the price will come down. Hell half of the IOS/Android fan base are criticising the other platform for lack of features you cant figure out that they need.
I recall when the first GUI was out (Graphical User Interface), pundits couldn't see why you needed pull down menu's AND mouse when a function key would do the same. Cost more…..
And where are the mini keyboards on a top end phone, absolutely essential, all the rage a few years back.
The only point here is that you are smart enough to know what features you want/need and have made a decision to buy matching that need.
To wonder why others are excited about "features" you dont necessarily see a need for now, forgets that this world would be rather boring if we as humans dont try something new…. which sometimes works. You wouldn't be using your smartphone if this hadn't happened.
Can you give me the name of a demanding game so I can check out how my el cheapo goes on it?
Try NOVA3 or Modern Warfare Combat 4
If there was ever a Crysis 2 for mobile phones, then this game is probably it. It struggles to run on my SGS2 but a MTK6589 quad core should handle it with no issues.
I'll give it a go- thanks.
modern combat works fine on my THL W8, have yet to try nova 3.
Sorry I didnt reply beforehand, I just didnt want you to add to the cost of your bargain, with you having to spend money to prove a point which would be pointless, :)
the point is to get you to buy buy buy more and more!
What's the point of getting a Lambo when you can have a Cherry QQ?
What's the point of getting a 70" TV when you can have a 15" TV?
VERY SIMPLE - The point is that People (I mean consumers) buy stuff that they think will make then HAPPY!!! That's it.
Whether it does or not is a different question.
The endless pursuit of "happiness" is what makes capitalism work.
mmm should of bought a THL then…… I mean after all happiness is in the name. (Technology Happy Life) :)
/SPAM
MY PET HATE - It's NOT 'Should of', it's 'SHOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE'
/rant over
The endless pursuit of "happiness" is what makes capitalism work.
Typical leftie, just forgetting how much the pursuit of those pursuing happiness makes you happy as well. :)
Sort of win win for everyone LOL
Psychology explains that it does, but only for a while. But fortunately a similar effect applies to sadness. It feels like it could last forever but one gets over it eventually.
What's the point of getting the latest iPad with Retina when you can get an iPad 2 or the original iPad? What's the point of getting the latest gaming/entertainment rig when you can get a budget PC for a third of the price?
New phones generally come with improved technology, better specs, improved camera quality, improved sound detail, better development/support being a big brand, cool new funky features, etc. This all goes to improving user experience.
My dad uses a Huawei Y201 that he bought from Coles. He loved it until I brought home my HTC One. Little things, like the phone orientation rotating faster, the absolutely smooth operation with no lag whatsoever, 4G compatibility, etc - can ultimately can make a big difference. He still wouldn't pay 10 times the price for these improvements, but each to their own, I suppose.